Telephone apparatus.



A. H. DYSON.

TELEPHONE APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 13, 1903.

Patented June 2, 1914,

m I? Q QN hv w J. IT.) m M mm b it m \Qmv vh a NQH h N% w m H 'IIIIII In ill TED STATES FATE- ALFRED I-I. DYSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,'ASSIG1\TOR-, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, .IO

WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A GORPQBATION OF ILLI- NOIS.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED H. DYSON, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Telephone Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention contemplates a telephone exchange system of such character that a subscriber may selectively signal any one of a number of operators at the central station.

In large exchanges, it is often desirable to divide the switch board apparatus into divisions or sections, so as to facilitate the making of connections, and in an exchange of, thls character, as heretofore constructed, it 1s often necessary for a subscriber to employ the services of several operators before getting the desired connection. In other words,l

with the arrangements employed prior to my invention, it is often necessary for a subscriber to call-in, state the number of the line with which he desires connection, and for the operator who thus takes the order for connection to then send the order on to another operator before the final connection,

with the called subscribers line can be made. This obviously takes time and creates unnec essary work, and hence, as stated, my invention contemplates a telephone exchange system of such character that a subscriber can selectively signal any one of a number of operators at the central station. Suppose, for example, that the exchange is divided into three divisions or sections. With my improved arrangement, each suhscribers line will be provided at the central station with three answering jacks, one located at each division of the switch board, and in addition each subscribers line can be provided at the central station with a multiple jack. If the line belongs to a subscriber of the first division, then the multiple jack for this line will be located on the first division of the switch board; or if the line belongs to a subscriber of the second or third divisions, then the multiple jack for such line will be located on either the second or third division of the switch board; and it will be understood that the multiple jacks of all the other lines terminating at the exchange are similarly locatedthat is to say, each one is located on the particular division or section of the switch board of the line to which it is allotted. There can, of course, be as many.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. July 13, 1903.

'JHilLIEllPI-IONE APPARATUS.

Patented ate 2, 1914..

Serial No. 165,202.

more multiple jacks to each line as conditions and growth of the exchange may demand. A line signal, of any suitable character, is associated with each answering jack, and any suitable arrangement, preferably a step-by-step device, can be employed for selectively operating these signals. If a stepbystep device is employed, then each subscriber can be provided with a suitable circuit opening and closing device, whereby any subscriber may operate his step-by-step dev1ce to the extent necessary to operate any one of the line signals allotted to his line. For example, suppose that a subscriber of the first division desires to be connected-up with a subscriber of the second division. In such case, the subscriber of the first division will operate his circuit opening and closing device in such manner as to cause the stepby-step device to close the circuit of the line signal which is located on the second division of the switch board. In this way, the calling subscriber is' enabled to call-up the only operator in the exchange who can establish the connection with the called subscriber it being remembered that the line of the called subscriber is provided with only one multiple jack, and that this multiple jack is located'on the second division of the switch board. Thus each subscriber can obtain connection with any other subscriber in the exchange without employing the services of more than one operator. The nature and advantages of my invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

The accompanying drawing is a diagram illustrating a telephone exchange system embodying the principles of my invention.

As illustrated, my improved selective telephone exchange system comprises subscribers apparatus located at substations A and B, and at as many more stations as there are subscribers of the exchange. The said subscribers apparatus may be of any suitable, known or approved character. Complete metallic line connection is preferably employed between the saidsub-stations and the central station. At the said central station the switch board apparatus is illustrated as being divided into three divisions or sections, this being an arrangement which will be readily understood. At the said central station the answering jacks 1, 2 and 3 are mounted respectively on the said first, second and third divisions of the switch board, and are all preferably connected with the line leading to sub-station A. The multiple jack 4 is also connected with said line and mounted on the first division or section of the switch board. In a similar manner, the answering jacks 5, G and 7 are located respectively on the first, second and third divisions or sections of the switch board, and are all connected with the line leading to the sub-station B. The

multiple jack 8 is also connected with this line and mounted on the first division of the switch board. An operators cord circuit C, having plugs P and P adapted to fit the sockets of the said acks, is employed in the usual manner for establishing connection between any two subscribers lines, it being understood that each operator is preferably provided with a number of these plugs and cord circuits. The line lamp signals 9, 10 and 11 are associated respectively with the answering jacks 1, 2 and 3, and, like the latter, are all allotted to the line leading to sub-station A. In a similar manner, the line lamps signals 12, 13 and 1 1 are associated respectively with the answering jacks 5, 6 and 7, and together with these jacks are all allotted to the line leading to sub-station B. The flow of current through the lamps 9, 10 and 11 is controlled by the step-by-step device D, while the flow of current through the lamps 12, 13 and 1 1- is controlled by a similar step-by-step device D. Preferably, all current, both for signaling and talking purposes, is supplied from a common battery E located at the central station. Any suitable arrangement can be employed for operating the said step-by step device. For example, the subscribers apparatus at sub-station A may include a make'and-break or circuit opening and closing device a, while the subscribers apparatus at sub-station B may include a similar switch or circuit opening and closing device 6. It will be observed that each of said switches or circuit opening and closing devices is preferably normally open. Supervisory lamp signals 0 and 0 are associated with the cord circuit, and the arrangement is such that these lamps will glow as soon as the subscribers hang up their receivers, thereby giving the signal for disconnection. As thus illustrated, both lines belong to subscribers of the first division of the exchange or switch board, so that either one in attempting to get connection with the other, will so manipulate his switch or circuit opening and closing device as to attract the attention of the operator at this division of the board. Suppose, for example, that subscriber A desires to communicate with subscriber B. In such case, subscriber A manipulates his switch a in such manner as to actuate the step-by-step device D. will be understood that several makes and breaks in the circuit may be employed for moving the step-by-step device 1) to an eX- tent sufficient to close the circuit of the lamp 9, but, as illustrated, a single closing of the circuit would probably be sutlicient to accomplish this purpose. hen the line circuit is thus closed, acircuitis completed from the battery E through the battery lead 15 and the impedance coil 16, through the conductor 17, and the magnet 18 of the step-bystep device, thence through conductor 19 and the limb 20 of the line leading to substation A, thence through the closed contacts of the switch or circuit opening and closing device a, through the contact 21 and the switch-hook 22, through the other limb of the said line, thence through the con ductor 24: and the impedance coil 25, and through the other battery lead 26 to said battery. The current flowing through this closed circuit is suficient to energize the magnet 18 and cause it to attract its armature 27, which latter may be pivoted at 28. This armature when attracted causes the dog or pawl 29, which is pivoted to the lower end of the armature stem, to move the sliding rack or contact maker 30 one notch, which in this case is suhicient to bring the movable contact 31 into contact with the stationary contact 32. This will close a local circuit from the battery E through the battery lead 15, thence through the conductor 33, through the spring 34 for re tracting the toothed ring 80, through the said rack and the contacts 81 and 32, thence through the conductor 35, through the line lamp signal 9, and thence through the ground or common connections 36 and 37. The flow of current through this local circuit will be sufficient to light the lamp 9, thereby attracting the attention of the operator in charge of the answering jack 1. Ubserving this signal, the operator then inserts the plug P in the jack 1, thereby closing a local circuit from the battery E, through the conductor 88, through the conductor 39 and the relay magnet 40, through the conductor 4-1, through the sleeve 12 of the said plug, through the testing ring 43 of the said jack, thence through the conductor H, through the magnets and 4:6 in parallel, thence through the conductor 17, and through the battery-lead 26 to the said battery. The derived current thus formed through the cord circuit serves as the conducting path by which to energize the magnets 45 and 46. The relay magnet 45 when energized attracts its armature 48, thereby causing it to engage the contact 19. This closes a normally open shunt 50 around the magnet 18, and the latter then of course becomes deenergized. The energizing of the magnet 46 causes it to attract the other end of the armature 2?, thereby causing the stop 51 to lift the dog or pawl 29 from engagement with the rack 30. Simultaneously therewith, the locking dog 52 is attracted by the magnet a6, and the rack 30 thus being released resumes its normal position and opens the circuit of the lamp 9. In this way, the operator in answering a call automatically restores the step-by-step device to its normal condition. By pressing her listening key 53, so as to bridge her head telephone 54: across the cord circuit, the operator can now communicate with the calling subscriber and can receive the order for the desired connection. Upon learning the number of the connection wanted, the operator then inserts the calling plug P in the multiple jack 8, it being remembered that subscriber A desires to communicate with subscriber B. This act on the part of the operator establishes a derived circuit from the battery E through the conductor 38, through the relay magnet 55,through the conductor 56, through the plug sleeve 57, thence through the testing ring 58 of the multiple jack 8, through the conductors 59 and 60, thence through the magnets 61 and 62 connected in parallel, thence through the conductor 63, and through the battery-lead 64C to said battery. This causes the magnet 61 to attract its armature 65, and the latter by engaging a contact 66 closes a shunt 67 around the other magnet 68 of the step-bystep device D. Also, the magnet 62 being energized, the armature 69 is tilted in such manner as to cause the stop 70 to throw the dog 71 out of engagement with the toothed rack 72. The magnet 62 when energized also lifts the locking dog 78 out of engagement with the rack 72. In this way, the subscriber at sub-station B can answer the call without causing the lamp 12 to glow. lVhen the called subscriber answers the call, a line circuit is completed from the battery E through the battery-lead 74, through the impedance coil 75, contacts 65 and 66 of relay 61, conductor 67, thence through the conductor 77 to the line, through the limb 78 of the line leading to sub-station B, thence through the transmitter 79 and the primary winding 80 of the induction coil, through the contact 81 and the switch-hook 82, thence through the other limb 83 of the said line, through the conductor 84: and the impedance coil 85, and thence through the other battery-lead 64 to said battery. It will be understood that the operator calls the subscriber at sub-station B by pressing her ringing key 86, so as to bridge the generator 87 across the line circuit and thereby ring the bell 88 at sub-station B. Thus the operator establishes connection between the calling and called subscribers. It will be readily understood that connection between A and a subscriber of another section or division of the switchboard can be made in a similar manner. For example, the multiple jack of another subscribers line might be located on the second division of the switch board. In such case, subscriber A would obtain connection with this other sub scriber by manipulating his switch in such manner as to cause the step-by-step device D to close the circuit of the lamp 10. This would attract the attention of the operator at the second division or section of the switch board, and the desired connection could then be made in the manner already described. While the two subscribers are talking, the talking circuit includes the limbs of the two lines, the springs 89 and 90 of the jack 1, the similar springs 91 and 92 of the jack 8, tip and ring contacts 93 and 94: of the answering plug P, the similar contacts 95 and 96 of the calling plug P, and the tip and ring strands 97, 98 and 99, 100 of the cord circuit. It will be observed that the opposite sides of the cord circuit are preferably provided with condensers 101 and 102 adapted to stop the'flow of battery current. As previously stated, the insertion of the said plugs operates to include the supervisory relay magnets 40 and 55 in de rived local circuits. These magnets when energized attract their armatures 103 and 104, causing the latter to make contact with the stationary contact points 105 and 106. This closes the normally open switch points in the circuits of the supervisory lamps 0 and 0. It will also be observed that the said plugs when inserted in the jacks include the other supervisory relay magnets 107 and 108 in line circuits including the subscribers switch-hooks, and including also the battery E. These magnets when energized cause their armatures 109 and 110 to move awa from their contacts 111 and 112, thereby opening the normally closed switch points in the circuits of the two supervisory lamps 0 and 0. Consequently, when the subscribers hang up their receivers and thereby break the line circuits, the magnets 107 and 108 are deenergized, allowing the armatures 109 and 110 to fall back in place against their contacts. Thus, while the subscribers are talking, the circuits of the lamps c and 0 are open; but as soon as the sub" scribers hang up their receivers, then the circuits of these lamps are closed, and the flow of current through the lamps causes them to glow and indicate that the subscribers are through talking. It will be readily understood that either lamp is adapted to respond independently of the other. The subscribers having finished their conversation, the operator then withdraws the two plugs from the jacks, and the selective exchange system is then in its normal condition, at least so far as the portion of the apparatus shown is concerned.

Thus it will be seen that with my improved switch-board apparatus and exchange equipment, each subscriber can callup any one of a number of operators at the central station; that if a subscriber of the first division desires to talk to a subscriber of the second division he can operate a selective device in such manner as to attract the attention of the operator at such division; that each subscriber can obtain connection with the line of any other sub scriber in the exchange without employing the services of more than one operator.

It will be readily understood that the jacks, plugs and cord circuit can be of any suitable, known or approved construction. The relays and their circuit connections can also be of any suitable character.

My invention contemplates broadly the provision of a plurality of signals at one station, preferably line or calling signals adapted to attract the attention of switchboard operators, and of improved means whereby a person at another station may selectively operate these signals.

It will be understood that a plurality of cords and plugs are provided for the jacks, so that if the selective switch of a calling line makes one selection it gets one plug, and if it makes a diii'erent selection it gets different plug.

It will be seen that the step-by-step switch I) is individual to the subscribers line, and is controlled over both sides thercofthat is to say, by opening and closing the metallic line circuit at the substation thereof. Moreover, this is accomplished in a common battery system in which the same battery is used for operating the said switch and furnishing talking current to the line. Again it will be seen that the said step-by-step switch that is controlled over the metallic line circuit is released over the third conductor of a cord, or other common talking connection-that is to say, over the third conductor of the operators cord circuit, which latter, of course, is common to the various subscribers. Other means can be used for locking the calling and called lines together. I provide, therefore, a release circuit for an automatic step-by-step switch that is individual to the subscribers line, and which is controlled over both sides thereof independently of the ground at the substation, in a system in which current is supplied to the line for both talking and operating purposes, preferably frcm a battery or other suitable means located at the exchange or central station. As stated, the said step-bystep switch is individual to the subscribers line, in the embodiment of my invention herein disclosed, but this is not necessarily the case, so far as the broader purposes of my invention are concerned. The said switch is of that specific character involving movement in a straight line, and which stepby-step movement in a straight line is controlled by the calling subscriber over a metallic line circuit in a system employing common battery for talking purposes. As shown, the said switch is employed for selecting different operators positions, or different switchboardsthat is to say, for selecting signals of different switchboards or positions. The lamps 9, 10 and 11, for example, are at different positions. It is obvious, of course, that the said switch may be used for other purposes, and in connection with other systems, without departing from the principles of my invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a telephone system, a subscribers line, multiple jacks for said line, signals for said jacks, a switch associated with said line for displaying said signals, a magnet for controlling the operation of said switch, a battery permanently connected with the line through a winding of said magnet, and means whereby the subscriber may control the circuit through said battery and magnet.

2. In a telephone system, a switchboard, multiple jacks on said board, line signals for said jacks, a switch, contacts for said signals at said switch, an electromagnet controlling the operation of said switch, a calling line, a battery permanently connected to said line through a winding of said electromagnet, and means on said line for completing the circuit through said battery and mag net.

3. In a telephone system, a subscribers line, multiple jacks for said line, signals for said jacks, a switch for displaying said signals, a magnet controlling the operation of said switch, a battery permanently con nected with the line through a winding of said magnet, means whereby the subscriber may control the circuit through said battery and magnet, a shunt about said magnet, and means whereby said shunt will be closed upon connect-ion being made to one of said multiple jacks.

4. In a telephone system, a subscribers line, multiple jacks for said line, signals for said jacks, a switch for displaying said signals, a magnet controlling the operation of said switch, a battery permanently connected in bridge of the line through a winding of said magnet, means whereby the subscriber may control the circuit through said battery and magnet, a shunt about said magnet, and a relay, and circuits whereby said shunt will be closed upon connection being made to one of said multiple jacks.

5. In a telephone exchange system, the combination of calling subscribers metallic telephone line, a multiple switchboard, multiple jacks mounted in said board and allotted to said telephone line, automatic electrically propelled and step-by-step actuated switching machinery provided with bank contacts, connections between said bank contacts and said switchboard, subscribers impulse transmitter for sending electrical impulses over the two sides of the telephone line in series to operate said automatic switching machinery, the said switching machinery provided with an electro-magnet connected with and individual to the said telephone line, and a battery permanently connected with the line through a winding of said automatic switching means.

6. In a telephone exchange system, the combination of a manual switchboard, jacks on said board, connections leading to said 1 board and allotted to said jacks, a calling metallic telephone line, automatic electrically propelled and step-by-step actuated switching machinery provided with bank contacts in which said connections terminate, a subscribers impulse transmitter for sending electrical impulses over the two sides of said telephone line in series to operate said switching machinery, a line signal for each jack, connections between said jacks and the telephone line, the said machinery provided with an electro-magnet connected to and individual to said calling telephone line, and a battery permanently connected with the line through a winding ofsaid automatic switching means.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 6th day of July, 1903.

ALFRED H. DYSON. Witnesses:

ARTHUR F. DURAND, WM. A. HARDENS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents, Washington, I). 0. 

